West Hollywood to celebrate one-year anniversary of city's rainbow crosswalks

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- In celebration of the one-year anniversary of West Hollywood’s landmark Rainbow Crosswalks, the City will hold a dedication ceremony on Gay Pride Sunday, June 9, at 9 am. The ceremony will take place at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente Boulevards, and will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a range of colorful characters available for photo opportunities.

West Hollywood City Council members shared their thoughts on the one year milestone:

“We are a community full of pride, and the Rainbow Crosswalks allow us to display our pride in the streets – at an intersection that has historic significance. I am truly pleased to dedicate these iconic crosswalks to the LGBTQ community as a symbol of being out and proud,” said Mayor Abbe Land.

“The Rainbow Crosswalks are another example of what it means to be included in the narrative of the American dream,” said Mayor Pro Tempore John D’Amico. “The incorporation of the LGBTQ rainbow into the infrastructure of our city is meaningful and important not just to residents, but to folks from around the world. We will dedicate these crosswalks knowing that this is a symbol that LGBTQ people from around the world know, and it is an invitation to everyone to come home and experience OUR WEHO,” continued D’Amico.

“The intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente Boulevards is the place where we gathered to protest government oppression, mourned our dead and celebrated our journey to liberty. As such, it is a touchstone for the international LGBT community to remind us of our history and declare these four corners “home,” said West Hollywood Councilmember John Duran.

“I love the rainbow crosswalks! It’s such a visual reminder of the importance of the LGBT community in West Hollywood,” said West Hollywood Councilmember John Heilman.

“With the permanent installation of the rainbow crosswalks the City declared to the world that the City of West Hollywood is not only a place where the LGBT community is welcomed, it is also a place where we can let who we are shine brightly and proudly,” stated Councilmember Jeffrey Prang. “This dedication ceremony marks the one-year anniversary of the initial installation of the rainbow crosswalks, which have become an iconic symbol of hope, pride, acceptance and tolerance. And once again, reinstates our City’s core values,” continued Prang.

The Rainbow Crosswalks are painted in the colors of the LGBT rainbow flag and are a symbol of gay pride and LGBT rights. They are also a creative and unique gateway to LGBT activities in West Hollywood, as well as the launch point for the Christopher Street West Annual LA PRIDE Festival.

West Hollywood’s Rainbow Crosswalks are the world’s first permanent Rainbow Crosswalks. Since their installation last year, they have garnered worldwide attention and have become an iconic symbol of hope, pride and acceptance.